Select Local Merchants

Imagine That! and Future Tech founder Kelly Williams has always loved science and art—up until her children were toddlers, she had spent her life building a career as an environmental engineer working for the EPA. But when she began volunteering as a leader of art and science programs at her local church and school, she unexpectedly discovered that she loved teaching children even more. Since 1995, Imagine That! and Future Tech learning centers have fostered a passion for science and technology in students aged 3 through 14. Alongside hands-on, age-appropriate instruction in the basics of physics, chemistry, and simple machines, the kids learn to work futuristic wonders such as building and programming robots to navigate obstacle courses and follow instructions. Science camps and workshops at locations all over the Atlanta metropolitan area give children a firm foundation in the sciences and prepare them for tomorrow’s world of ever-more-advanced computers and automatic doors.

Brightly colored bowling balls careen down slick lanes, colliding with upright pins that spill over in a cacophony of satisfying crashes. Despite the help of bumpers and a last-second push from the tooth fairy, the 6-year-old who rolled the ball couldn't be more proud of his first strike. Up to eight guests can share a lane at Suburban Lanes' family-friendly facility, splitting time between cathartic bowling matches and the plethora of games in the arcade, including Ms. Pac-Man, Whack A Duck, and skee ball. On weekends, guests stay late to indulge in the black lights and neon colors of cosmic bowling, sipping on draft glasses of Shock Top, Magic Hat, or Pabst Blue Ribbon and sharing snacks of pizza, chicken tenders, or funnel cakes. Bowlers can get serious about their hatred of gutter balls by joining a league or competing in a tournament, with youngsters starting their bowling careers early in youth leagues or summer camps.

With locales dappled throughout the Southeast and Midwest, the brains behind Workout Anytime funnel more than three decades of fitness-industry expertise into filling their gyms with positive vibes and state-of-the-art equipment. The fitness gurus spread Magnum-brand strength-training machines and cutting-edge treadmills—whose frames can support up to 500 pounds—throughout their hygienic antimicrobial floors. They also provide certified personal trainers, nutritional guidance, and weight-loss plans.
Workout Anytime's doors are open to members 24 hours a day every day of the year, permitting access to public exercise zones and areas that offer tanning and massage sessions. Each gym also strives to cultivate a familial atmosphere with staffers who memorize each guest's name and carve each one's Thanksgiving turkey.

Eight bags. Two platforms. Two six-inch holes. One distinctly American game. The origins of cornhole are shrouded in mystery. Some say it derives from a German game, while others claim it is a descendant of a similar sport played by Native Americans. But one thing is certain?it's serious business. That's why the American Cornhole Organization was formed in 2005. By setting the rules, establishing annual tournaments and competitions, and firmly banning the practice of using trained birds to dunk bags, these referees have codified the sport and elevate it to a professional level.

That Pottery Place Studio?s shelves brim with hundreds of unfinished ceramic pieces, each ready to blossom with a completely unique bouquet of colors and designs. Animal-painted plates sit propped alongside decorative birdbaths, planters, coffee mugs, and owl figurines designed to scare pigeons away from the china hutch. Guests can throw their creativity at these 3D canvases using the studio?s stencils, brushes, sponges, and dozens of glazes. Staff members make the rounds sharing tips on technique and helping sort through idea books with painters during open studio time.

Today's Groupon to Eddie's Attic gets you $25 worth of succulent small plates, burgers, and beer for $12 at the popular rooftop-grill component of this renowned music venue. Hit up the rooftop to grab dinner and drinks before slipping into the listening room for a show (Eddie's has featured many big acts, including the Indigo Girls, India.Arie, and the Black Crowes) or gather with your fellow groupies to gush about your favorite chords (E-minor is so 1993). Though your Groupon is not valid toward concert tickets, you don't have to go to a show to enjoy food, drinks, and harmonious conversation with friends beneath the stars. Follow @Groupon_Says on Twitter.

Groupon Guide

It is rare to find something in this world that is virtually universally loved. A few things come to mind: laughing, love, happiness. But there’s something that can arguably be added to that list: pizza. There’s something just so irresistible about the simple, yet ingenious combination of bread and cheese. Pizza is a food variety that has been mastered in Italy and vehemently attempted in the United States. But some local Atlanta pizza restaurants offer up the real deal.
Crispy Crust: Jack’s Pizza and Wings
Walking into Jack’s feels like deja vu from college days. The cool, laid back joint has arcade games, graffiti, and even old school lunch boxes used as décor. Jack’s Pizza and Wings is very well known in Atlanta for their wings, but for many, it’s the pizza that keeps them coming back for more. Jack’s Pizza is the perfect balance of generous toppings, melty cheese and crispy crust. The crust isn’t paper thin, like you’d find in some NYC pizzerias; the crust is thick enough to support the toppings of their many specialty pizzas (including mac & cheese!), yet remains perfectly crisp on the bottom.
Traditional Pizza: Fellini’s
If you’re looking for a well-made, fresh pizza, then head over to Fellini’s. Their no-gimmick, no-fuss approach to pizza is one that’s sure to please. Their philosophy is simple: they use fresh ingredients, dynamite recipes and thoughtful care to create a little slice of cheesy heaven for each and every customer. Their signature neon lettering and twinkling light décor, combined with their lovely outdoor seating make the whole experience of dining at Fellini’s special.
Authentic Neapolitan Pizza: Antico
Antico is a local go-to for any pizza lover. With its unbelievably fresh ingredients and imported Italian ovens, it’s tough to compare any pizza in Atlanta to Antico. The unique atmosphere is open and inviting with large tables open for parties to share. This traditional Neapolitan pizza is as authentic as it gets in the Atlanta area. The thin, fluffy crust complements the robust flavors of the buffalo mozzarella and other mouth-watering toppings in a way that makes it clear why this pizza establishment has been around since 1889.
Creative Toppings: Shorty’s
Located in the Northern area of Atlanta, Shorty’s Pizza offers a fun, creative spin on pizza. In traditional Italian sit-down restaurant style, the thin crust cooked in a wood fired brick oven is enough to draw in a crowd, but the unique topping options make this pizza joint one of a kind. Unconventional foods like potatoes, fried eggs, avocado and taco seasoned ground beef are all available for toppings, making for some interesting combinations.
Local Favorite: Varasano’s Pizzeria
With tons of awards under their belt, including one of the 'Elite 8' Pizzerias in the US by Every Day with Rachael Ray, Varasano’s has quickly become a local favorite in Atlanta. Located in the Buckhead neighborhood, this pizzeria serves a delicious take on Neapolitan pizza. The flimsy crust made of sourdough bread just begs to be folded for the perfect bite. And in the unlikely event you have room for desert after one of their signature pizza pies, Varasano’s offers decadent Italian style doughnuts. As if their savory pizza wasn’t enough to keep business booming, the crystalized sugarcoated fried confections are the perfect cherry on top of one satisfying meal.
All photos by Johnny Cheng Photography

Recently, I shared the liveliest, most popular trail of Atlanta’s BeltLine. But there’s a lot more to this new city path than most Atlantans know. In addition to the shops, eats and art that the Eastside trail boasts, the beltline also offers some quiet observation of the natural beauty that Atlanta has to offer.
One of the most common first observations newcomers make of Atlanta is the vast amount of greenery and trees. We are a nature-loving group and this southern city is proud of what separates us from other US metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles; which is exactly why the Northside trail of the Atlanta BeltLine was created.
The BeltLine’s most rugged open trail, the Northside trail is accessible from three points: Armore Road, Collier Road, and Goodson Lane. It runs along Tanyard Creek and through Tanyard Creek Park, connecting Ardmore Park, Collier Hills and Collier Hills North neighborhoods. As the first part of the BeltLine to open in North Atlanta, local residents have taken advantage of this glimpse into the nature of Atlanta. In fact, the Northside trail even holds its own annual 5k race, bringing Atlantans together to enjoy the BeltLine.
Although the Northside trail can be considered rugged and more nature-centric than the Eastside Trail, it still provides a smooth concrete path for walking, jogging, running, bike riding, or skating—even the stretch through Tanyard Park. The goal while creating this trail was to “minimize the visual impact on the meadow,” according to Beltline.org. The official BeltLine website goes on to explain, “the trail was routed through existing naturalization areas.” This has proven to be a successful feat, as Tanyard Park remains aesthetically pleasing.
In an effort to keep Atlanta green and naturally beautiful, the Northside trail was created in a way that not only lets nature continue to prosper on its own, but also to enhances the flow of nature. Along the trail, design features have been installed to preserve natural growth. These same design features, as well as a few more, provide an escape route for excess rainwater to prevent overflows of Tanyard Creek.
The one-mile stretch that is the Northside trail of Atlanta’s BeltLine is a wonderful option for casual strolling, nature walks, or light cardio exercise. Since 2010, North Atlanta residents have made this area a favorite, especially those who reside in the neighborhoods in Collier Hills that are now linked together. It has made for much easier foot access both between neighborhoods and to the Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta Memorial Park.
If you’re looking for a nice quiet, scenic route, check out the Northside trail of the BeltLine. You can read up on the Eastside trail in part one of the BeltLine series. Stay tuned for more info on the other trails, parks, public art and historic preservation that Atlanta’s BeltLine has to offer.
Photo courtesy of AsianCajuns.

Even though Atlanta has been torn down and rebuilt a number of times, the city is steeped in history. You can still find historic buildings dotted throughout the city - from the Civil War to the civil rights movement and everything in between. Instead of putzing around a stuffy library, visit one or two of these places to get a real taste of Atlanta history:
Sweet Auburn Curb Market - This market was first established in the early 1900s and is still a functioning municipal market today. During segregation, blacks were only allowed to shop the stalls along the curb, hence its name. Today, the market is located downtown near the Georgia State Campus. It has a number of stalls that sell meats, fish, and produce. There are also a number of small, popular eateries like Grindhouse Burgers and Bell Street Burritos. This is not a gentrified, downtown, touristy market like Chelsea Market in New York and Pike Street Market in Seattle. Its appearance is a little rough around the edges, but that just adds to the charm and authenticity of the place.
After stocking up on groceries and getting a bite to eat at the curb market, head north one block and walk along Auburn Avenue. This is the Sweet Auburn district, a historically black business district and home to Ebenezer Church and the birth home of Martin Luther King, Jr. You can still see some of the facades of the historic businesses that shut down decades ago like the famous music club, The Royal Peacock. If you want a guided tour of the area, get in touch with the Atlanta Preservation Center for more information.
Not too far north of the Sweet Auburn district is Margaret Mitchell House on Peachtree Street. You can take a tour of the famous writer’s apartment and see where she wrote Gone with the Wind. If you’re looking for a grander house museum, head north on Peachtree and check out Rhodes Hall, the home of Rhodes Furniture founder Amos Rhodes. Peachtree Street used to be lined with mansions and Rhodes Hall is one of the only remaining ones today. It was built to look like a small German castle and the interior does not disappoint.
Just south of downtown is Oakland Cemetery. It’s the resting place for many famous Atlantans like Margaret Mitchell and Maynard Jackson, and has a number of beautiful mausoleums scattered throughout the grounds. Stop by the Visitors Center, take a self-guided tour, or come for one of the events hosted at the cemetery. If you think cemeteries are creepy and/or boring, a trip to Oakland Cemetery will change that mindset.
Not far from Oakland Cemetery is the Cyclorama located in Grant Park. It’s a giant, panoramic painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta fought during the Civil War. The best part is that you get to sit on a rotating platform during the tour of the painting, which is complete with music, educational facts, and lighting. There’s nothing else like it in town. Make sure to stop by the small exhibit on how the Cyclorama was installed and how, at one point, it became overrun with rats.
Last, but definitely not least, head west to the Wren’s Nest. In the West End neighborhood, it is the oldest house museum in Atlanta and the home of Joel Chandler Harris, the creator of Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit. Plan ahead and make sure to come for a tour and storytelling. It’s fascinating to tour the home of one of the most popular authors of the 19th and 20th centuries. The storytelling is geared towards kids, but it’s equally as fun for adults.
Looking for more adventures? Explore all of our things to do deals.